Instructions
Do not feed your horse hard feeds within an hour prior to working him. Hard feeds, such as many different types of grain, are difficult for a horse to digest. If a horse is worked at all, whether it be lunging or riding, the activity can upset the horse’s stomach and cause the intestines to twist, which is the cause of colic. Iit is also important not to feed your horse hard feed for at least 30 minutes after bening worked.
Never overwork a horse in extreme weather conditions such as very cold or very hot weather. Horses can become more vulnerable to colic if they remain in those temperatures or if they eat or drink. During the winter and summer, shorten workouts or make them somewhat easier. Don’t make your horse tuck his nose in when doing flatwork or dressage because this makes it harder for him to breath.
Keep water available at all times. Ready access to plenty of clean water is very important for a horse. In every stall there should be at least one large bucket of fresh water. Water should also be available in all pastures, and providing water buckets attached intermittently on the fence in your riding arena is a good idea. After being worked, every horse should be given water to prevent dehydration. Be careful when giving your horse water, because colic can result from a hot horse chugging cool water.
Walk your horse out after being worked. Whatever season, it is a smart idea to walk your horse out to cool him off and let him catch his breath. This will prevent soreness the next day. Another very important benefit is that when your horse rolls or eats hay or grass, cooling down will prevent colic due to him being too hot. You can walk your horse out either while you are still riding or on a lead rope.
Take proper care of your horse after a work session. In hot weather, your horse should be cooled off after having been worked. Use cool water and begin to rise at the chest and legs to maximize the cooling factor. In the winter after you have finished working him, you should cool him off. Before returning him to the frigid weather after riding, at least cover him in a thin blanket.
Put your horse away in an area where shade is available. In heat, your horse needs to have a place to go where he will not be in direct sunlight. In your pasture, there should either be big, leafy trees or a run-in shed. If neither is provided in the pasture, no horse should be turned out there for more than a few hours at a time.
How to Prevent Colic in a Horse
Being a horse owner is a major responsibility and can be very time consuming. Not only do horses have to be exercised, cleaned and fed, but they also must be watched to prevent them from getting sick. While it is rare for a horse to get sick, when it does occur it can quickly expose the horse to critical conditions. One of the most common sicknesses in a horse is colic. When a horse develops colic, the risk of death is imminent unless medical care is sought immediately. Learn how prevent your horse from developing colic to keep him living a long and healthy life.